Getting paid for work
Last updated on June 1, 2024Employees must be paid for the work they do. They should get at least minimum wage for hours worked in each pay period.
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Employees must be paid twice per month
Pay periods cannot be longer than 16 days. All money earned, including overtime and statutory holiday pay, must be paid within 8 days after the end of the pay period. Annual vacation pay and wages in an employee’s time bank do not need to be paid within the pay period.
Wages must be paid in Canadian currency. Payment can be cash, cheque, bank draft, or money order. It can also be made by direct deposit to an employee's bank account if this agreed to in writing or if this arrangement is part of a collective agreement. Farm labour contractors must pay wages directly to an employee's bank account.
When employment ends, employers must pay employees their final wages.
Minimum wage
All employees must be paid at least minimum wage. The minimum wage in British Columbia is $17.40 per hour.
Minimum daily pay
An employee who reports for work must be paid for at least 2 hours, even if they work less than 2 hours.
Keeping records
Employers must keep a record of the hours worked by each employee and provide a pay statement every payday.
Tips and gratuities
Employers can collect tips and distribute them to all employees who shared in earning them.
Statutory holiday pay
Employees get statutory holiday pay if they qualify. If they work on a stat holiday, they get time-and-a-half plus an average day's pay.
Paid time off
Employees can earn paid vacation days. Most job-protected leaves are unpaid. Employers are required to pay for some types of leave.
Deductions
Employers are legally required to make certain deductions from wages. Business costs cannot be deducted from wages.
Uniforms and special clothing
A dress code is different than a uniform. Employers must provide uniforms at no cost to employees.
What you can do
If you're having issues at work, find out what you can do:
References from the Employment Standards Act and Regulation